Evansville man accused of robbing pharmacy, trying to flee on bike

MOUNT HOREB—An Evansville man out on bail after an Evansville pharmacy robbery in February was arrested Monday at a Mount Horeb pharmacy for a similar crime.

Police said Paul Engel, 57, robbed The Mount Horeb Pharmacy about 10:40 a.m., Monday. He entered the pharmacy, threatened staff with a knife and demanded Oxycontin and morphine, according to a news release from Mount Horeb police.

After receiving the drugs, Engel left the pharmacy and tried to flee on a bicycle, police said. An employee knocked Engel to the ground and held him until police arrived.

In the scuffle, Engel scratched and bit the employee, police said.

He was booked into the Dane County Jail on suspicion of armed robbery, substantial battery and bail jumping.

In the February incident, Engel is accused of threatening an employee of the Evansville Pharmacy before making off with more than 400 Oxycodone pills of various dosages, valued at $3,786.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Rock County Court, Engel dumped or spilled some of the pills as officers from the nearby police station chased him in downtown Evansville.

Engel ran into his nearby residence with police running after him, the complaint indicates. He apparently ran out the back door immediately, jumped a fence and eluded officers for more than four hours, the complaint indicates.

A car was reported stolen soon after the robbery. An Orfordville police officer spotted the car at 7:34 p.m. in Orfordville, and a pursuit ensued north on Highway 213. An officer spread stop sticks on the highway near the intersection with County M, puncturing two of the vehicle's tires.

Engel continued a short distance when a sheriff's deputy got in front of him, boxing him in and ending the chase on Ahara Road, the complaint states.

In Rock County, Engel is charged with robbery with use of force, theft, sixth-offense operating while intoxicated, operating a motor vehicle without owner consent, fleeing an officer, possession of narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of cocaine as a second offense.

On those charges, Engel posted a $20,000 bond. Earlier this month, he pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to all charges, and a psychological exam was ordered.